News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Alpena County Commissioner John Kozlowski, left, County Administrator Mary Catherine Hannah, center, and county Treasurer Kim Ludlow listen and take notes during a county Board of Commissioners meeting in this December 2022 photo.

ALPENA — Two people have applied to be considered for appointment to the Alpena County Board of Commissioners to represent District 3.

Adam Poll, president and CEO of the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce, and Robin LaLonde have expressed interest in filling the seat vacated by the death of former commissioner Dave Karschnick last month.

The commissioners are expected to interview the two candidates today at the monthly Finance, Ways & Means Committee meeting and select one of them to take their oath and claim their seat.

Poll said he believes he has the knowledge and experience of dealing with government issues in Northeast Michigan, as well as at the state and federal level, which he said can help the county work closer with those entities to better the area.

“I just want to make sure the county has representatives who understand how the government works and represent the people well,” he said. “It has been something I’ve thought about for a while and I think local government needs people with experience working with various state and local entities.”

LaLonde is known in Alpena for her work with the Alpena Boys and Girls Club and other endeavors. She said being a commissioner will help her work toward her goal of making Alpena a better place for all.

“I have a genuine interest in the betterment of our community and I have a passion for Alpena and don’t want to see anyone left behind,” she said. “I have a lot to learn, but I promise to give it my all.”

Whichever of the two candidates selected by the commissioners will represent District 3, which covers part of Alpena, until the end of 2024.